AutoNation (NYSE: AN) reported earnings on Jan. 26. Here are the numbers you need to know.

The 10-second takeaway
For the quarter ended Dec. 31 (Q4), AutoNation beat expectations on revenues and beat expectations on earnings per share.

Compared to the prior-year quarter, revenue expanded, and earnings per share expanded.

Margins shrank across the board.

Revenue details
AutoNation reported revenue of $3.68 billion. The 11 analysts polled by S&P Capital IQ foresaw revenue of $3.54 billion. Sales were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $3.25 billion.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Dollar amounts in millions.

EPS details
Non-GAAP EPS came in at $0.51. The 14 earnings estimates compiled by S&P Capital IQ averaged $0.49 per share on the same basis. GAAP EPS of $0.50 for Q4 were 13% higher than the prior-year quarter's $0.44 per share.

Source: S&P Capital IQ. Quarterly periods. Figures may be non-GAAP to maintain comparability with estimates.

Margin details
For the quarter, gross margin was 15.7%, 110 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Operating margin was 3.9%, 10 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter. Net margin was 1.9%, 20 basis points worse than the prior-year quarter.

Looking ahead
Next quarter's average estimate for revenue is $3.46 billion. On the bottom line, the average EPS estimate is $0.48.

Next year's average estimate for revenue is $14.68 billion. The average EPS estimate is $2.15.

Investor sentiment
The stock has a one-star rating (out of five) at Motley Fool CAPS, with 154 members out of 223 rating the stock outperform, and 69 members rating it underperform. Among 77 CAPS All-Star picks (recommendations by the highest-ranked CAPS members), 58 give AutoNation a green thumbs-up, and 19 give it a red thumbs-down.

Of Wall Street recommendations tracked by S&P Capital IQ, the average opinion on AutoNation is hold, with an average price target of $32.00.

If you're invested in retailers like AutoNation, you should check out the concept that is The Motley Fool's top stock for 2012. Its founder wrote the book on big box retailing, and it's growing in increasingly important international markets. Click here for instant access to this free report.